OBITUARY

Donal ValGene Dorrell

November 23, 1931 – March 3, 2019

Donal ValGene Dorrell of Tigard, Oregon departed for Heaven on March 3, 2019. Don was known by many names. Teased by his siblings, Tommy, Johnny, Fred, Burl and Anne, he was called Gander for being afraid of a goose that chased him around the farm he was born in on November 23, 1931 in Broken Arrow Oklahoma.

ValGene was the name his parents Nancy and John called him, and friends called him Val in Broken Arrow High School where he lettered in football.

In the Marine Corp he was called Private, then Private First Class. In the Korean conflict Don was Lance Corporal Dorrell until a much-embellished traffic violation caused a demotion to PFC.

In Modesto California on September 3, 1953 he married Delma Delrae Robinson and became a husband!

When Don returned from his service in the Marine Corps, he attended Molor’s Barber College and every man in Tigard knew if you wanted the best “flattop” ask for Don the Barber.

During this time Don earned the title “Dad” when he became a Father to Lynn Dell and Donal Noel. He was also Uncle Don to Richard and Andrea Melhoff who he adopted into the family.

Don was raised a Christian, but his faith was reconfirmed in a much more powerful, personal way in 1970 at Tigard Assembly. From then on he was called a child of God.

With God’s guidance Donal decided after 20 years as a barber to start a 2nd career and attended Portland Community College and studied building maintenance. He worked at the Jewish Community Center where he was called an Evangelist. He shared Jesus every day and was given great respect for his faith. After 4 years he moved to Portland First Presbyterian Church as building Supervisor and the lady’s groups always brought him sweets as they begged him never to quit. He reluctantly retired after 17 years.

Don’s family grew and multiplied as he enriched the lives of everyone he met. Collecting many more kids who loved “Dad”, “Silly Uncle Don” and “Uncle Val”. The Melhoff’s Kristie, Mindy, Amy and James multiplied the joy with more children.

Don’s next name change was difficult as he walked his daughter down the aisle with great pride and became a father-in-law to David Eisele.

Don Dorrell’s legacy of faith and joy lives on in Lynn and David Eisele. David II who married Erica, Serena who married Michael, Devon and Dillion. Don’s Grandpa status expanded to Great by Mason, Hudson and future son Bowen. Logan and Ethan Eisele. Don gave every boy their first haircut and he and Delrae were at every baby dedication, graduation, baptism and marriage no matter how far away.

There isn’t enough space to tell you about this amazing man who was passionate about his faith, treasured his wife, prized his kids, adored his grandkids, delighted in the next generations to come and showed joy and laughter to everyone he met. Now Donal ValGene is in heaven where Jesus is calling him: “Well done good and faithful servant.”

The family has requested that in-lieu of flowers contributions be made in Don’s name to Portland Christian Center’s Benevolence fund. 5700 SW Dosch Road; Portland, OR 97239.

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